RAWALPINDI: After spotting a laser light while landing, a pilot of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) raised concerns, stating that this was a potential hazard to the safety of passengers.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has asked the regional police officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Region to take action to curtail such incidents in the future.

Incidents of flashing laser lights to passenger planes have been causing concern among pilots, however, the police have been unable to trace people involved in pointing these lights at aircraft while landing.

On the other hand, the CAA has been planning to launch ‘public service messaging’ with videos to inform the public about the safety hazard concerning flashing laser lights at aircraft as this could lead to a fatal incident.

A CAA spokesman said that whenever such an incident is reported, law enforcement agencies are informed so they may take appropriate action.

A fresh intimation by the CAA Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Islamabad International Airport Syed Aftab Ali Shah Gilani to Regional Police Officer Nasir Sati and Commissioner Rawalpindi, stated that the pilot of a PIA flight from Dubai to Islamabad PK-212 on Jan 8, 2023 had reported a green laser light pointed towards the aircraft when the plane was about to land.

The CAA stated that the approximate position of the plane was in the middle of Rawat and Bahria Town when the pilot spotted the laser light and reported the incident.

In the past, such incidents had been reported by pilots of international airlines.

Incidents of flashing of laser lights towards aircraft are a serious flight safety hazard which may lead to a fatal incident, said a senior official of CAA.

An aviation expert said: “Laser light disturbs pilots if pointed directly towards the plane – especially when the plane is taking off or landing because at that time the pilot is closely monitoring aircraft gadgets.”

He appealed to the people to avoid using laser beam light and realise that it could cause serious damage.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2023